Container part leakage testing machine



- H. SCHRADER 2,352,916 CONTAINER PART LEAKAGE TESTING MACHINE July 4, 1944;

4 Sheets-Shea 1 Filed April 23, 1941 July 4, 1944. H} sc R 2,352,916

CONTAINER PART LEAKAGE TESTING MACHINE Filed Ap ril 25, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q 15 JJ .29 -J0 64% 47 6 (a g I 4.9 g MI} 41 2 i i;- 157 if 45 W MW I ma y gfi July 4, 1944. E SCHRADER 2,352,916

CONTAINER PART LEAKAGE TESTING MACHINE Filed A ril 25, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 jm s/vroa wig M W yG i fir-ro/wws V6 Patented July 4, 1944 CONTAINER PART LEAKAGE TESTING MACHINE Herbert Schrader, Wheeling, Va., assignor. to Continental Can Company, Inc New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York ApplicationApril 23, 1941, SerialNo. 389,997

17 Claims.

The invention relates generally to vacuum testing apparatus and. primarily seeks to provide a novel machine structure in which vacuum testing can be efiiciently carried out to determine if containers or container parts areleakproofr Obviously sheet metal or similar containers designed for the packaging of foodsand beverages should be leakproof, and this is particularly true if the products are packaged in vacuo, because if air is permitted to leak into the sealed containers the whole purpose'of the vacuum packing is defeated. It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a machine structure in which cans or can parts can be quickly and conveniently tested in order to determine if they are proof against such leakage, and in which means is included for delivering leakproof and leaky cans or can parts at differentplaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated which is particularly adapted for testing theconiform top pieces of cans which, before assembly with the main can body portions, are open at both ends.

Another object of the invention is to-provide a machine structure of the character stated'ineluding a traveling carrier,- a plurality of can end receiving pockets on saidcarrier, means for delivering can ends'to the pockets bygravity and for similarly discharging tested ends from said pockets, end closure walls engageable with the opposite ends of a can end in each pocket for sealing saidopposite ends, means for momentarily pressing said walls in Contact, with said opposite ends to seal the same, meansfor drawing and sealing a vacuum in said can end during said pressure application; spring means subservient to said vacuum but effective upon leakage of air into a leaky can end for forcing the engaging closure walls apart, and means for forcing apart closure walls which have for a propertest interval held the vacuum in each leakproof end.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more fully understood by following the detailed description, the appended claims, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the invention.

Figure 2' is an end elevation, parts being broken away. 1

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail cross sectional view taken through the axisof one of the tester units and the rotor rim on which it is mounted.

Figure. 4 is a. plan view of the parts illustrated in. Figure 3, parts. being broken away and. in section. 2

Figure. 5' is a left. end elevation of. the. parts illustrated; in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a right end. elevation of theparts illustrated in Figure 3, parts being broken away. Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 3' illustrating a modified form of: the invention In the machine herein illustrated as an. example of embodiment of the invention, there is included a base 51 which supports upstanding frame standards 6. disposed. in parallel spaced relation on said base in the manner illustrated in Figures land 2 of the drawings. Acrossshaft 1' is rotatably supported in bearings. 8 mounted on the standards 6, and a large rotor 9 is supported: on said shaft. The-rotorincludes ahub if radial spokes H, and arim 12 the peripheral surface l 3 of which isground and lapped for a purpose that will later become apparent.

-'The rotor rim I2- is provided witha plurality of transverse bores 14 which are disposed in parallel relation and equidistantly spaced about said rim in the manner best illustrated in Figure 1-. Each of the bores it communicates with the ground and lapped: peripheral surface l'3' of the rotor through a radial port IS.

A large spur gear is secured upon the shaft 7 and is' drivenby-a small spur gear I! mounted on a stub shaft 18 rotatably supported on the machine base and which alsocarries a worm wheel It to which rotation is imparted by a worm wheel 20 driven by power transmitting connections 2''! from the motor 22 also supported on the base. a

A frame standard extension 23 is provided at one side of the machine and carries a bracket 24 on which is mounted a vacuum head 25. having a-spring-pressed, arcuate shoe portion 26' which is ground and lapped for very close sliding contact with theperipheral surface i3" of the rotor. The shoe 26 includes a vacuum duct 2-! which is connected, as at 2'8, with any suitable source A tester unit generally designated 34 is removably mounted in each of the rotor bores l4 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 1, and 3 through 6 of the drawings.

Each of the tester units 34 comprises a platelike body 35 having a cylindrical extension 36 shaped to snugly fit a rotor bore l4 and equipped with a vacuum chamber 31 at one end and a spring chamber 38 at the other end, said chambers being separated by a partition wall 39.

The partition wall of each tester unit is pro vided with ports 40 communicating between the chambers 31 and 38. These ports are normally closed by a valve 4| having a yieldable sealing face 42 presented for engagement with the wall 39, said valve being carried on a plunger 43 which is guided in an aperture 44 in the wall 39 and in an aperture 45 in an end closure cap 46 removably secured, as at 41, on the respective extension 36. The plunger extends beyond the closure cap as at 48 inthe manner clearly indicated in Figures 3 and 4 and carries an abutment head within the spring chamber. A spring 49 encircles the. plunger between the. abutment wall 39 and the abutment head 48 and yieldablyholds the valve 4| seated in the, manner illustrated in Figure 3. Each rotor rim port I communicates with the spring chamber 38, in the respective tester unit through a registering port 56 formed in the cylindrical projection 36 of the particular unit.

The vacuum chamber 31 in each tester unit is surrounded by a recess 5| in which is mounted a yieldable sealing wall or ring 52, and a flange extension 53 is provided surrounding the ring 52 at three sides, namely, at each side of the center thereof and inwardly of the center. Each such flange is, therefore, opened toward the periphery of the rotor, and this flange is grooved, as at 54, to receive the base flange extension 55 of a coniform can top 56, said coniform can top terminating in a pouring mouth 51 which extends slightly beyond the flange 53 in the manner clearly, illustrated in Figures'3 and 4 of the drawings.

The plate-like body 35 of each tester unit is angle-bent at the inner portion thereof to provide a bracket portion 58, and each bracket portion 58 provides a pivotal support, as at 59, for a lever 60, said lever being pivoted intermediately of its ends. Each lever 66 carries a roller 6| at its inner end and has limited pivotal connection at its outer end, as at 62, with a closure head 63 equipped with a yieldable sealing wall or insert 64 which is engageable in sealing contact with the pouring spout 51 of a cone top being tested in the manner illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

A stem 65 is threadably adjustable through the tester body 35, as at 66, and is secured in place by a jam nut 61. The free end of each stem 65 passes through an aperture68 in the respective lever 6|] and carries an abutment head 69 spaced a distance to the right of the lever 60 as viewed in Figure 3. A compression spring is coiled about the stem 65 between the abutment head 69 and the respective lever 66 and constantly tends to swing the lever outwardly, or in a direction for moving the sealing head or wall 64 out of contact with the cone top pouring throat 51. The distance to which the spring can thus move the lever 60 is limited by an adjustable abutment means 11. c

It is to be understood that the rotor is continuously rotated, and while it is so rotating,

cone tops 56 roll through the gravity feed chute 12 and are deposited one by one into the receiving pockets or grooves 54 in the tester units as said tester units are successively presented at the receiving station best illustrated in Figure l. The rotor moves rather slowly, and since the cone tops are deposited in the receiving pockets as the pockets are moved upwardly past the horizontal position, the cone tops are retained in the pockets by gravity action as they move away from the receiving station. As each tester unit comes opposite the vacuum head 25, the lever roller 6| of the respective lever 60 engages a stationary cam 13 which serves to momentarily press the sealing wall or head insert 54 in tight contact with the respective cone top pouring mouth 51, this pressure also serving to tightly seat the base 55 of the cone top against the-stationary sealing wall 52 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings. While the respective cone top 56 is thus clamped between the sealing walls 64 and 52 by applied pressure, the particular valve plunger 43 engages a stationary roller 14 supported on an extension 15 of the vacuum head 25. This engagement of the plunger 43 opens the valve 4| and momentarily affords communication between the chambers 38 and 31. During the brief interval of this communication between the chambers, therespective port |5-50 will be in communication with the vacuum source 21, 28 and a vacuum will be drawn in the chamber 31 and the cone top 56 and sealed therein by immediate closing of the valve 4|.

The vacuum drawn and sealed in the chamber 31 and the cone top 56 is stronger than the compression spring 10, and the thus subservient spring 16 is unable to force the sealing wall or head 64 away from the cone top mouth 51. 7

It will be obvious that if the particular cone top 56 being tested is leakproof, that is, devoid of any pin holes or other openings through which air might pass into the sealed chamber within, the pressure of the surrounding atmospheric air will continue to hold the sealing wall 64 in sealing contact with the cone top.

In the case of any cone top which is leaky, atmospheric air will find its way into the interior of the cone top and the chamber 31, and as soon as the vacuum is thus destroyed to a sufiicient degree to render the particular compression spring 10 dominant, said spring will force the lever 60 outwardly, displacing the sealing wall 64 and relieving the clamped condition of the particular cone top between the walls 64 and 52, and the cone top will be free to fall out of the pocket of the testing unit into a discharging runway 16. If it is desired thatthe runway 16 be positioned atthe same side of the machine with the feed-in runway 12, a retaining guard 11 may be provided to determine the place of discharge in the manner illustrated in Figure 1.

All cone tops which properly stand the test, that is, tops which are not leaky, retain the vac uum and it is necessaryto break the vacuum and to mechanically displace the sealing walls 64 and release these perfect cone tops; 7 This is accomplished by a stationary rollerj14a'which engages the plungers in the manner shown in Figure 2 for opening the valves 4| .to permit-air at atmospheric pressure into the vacuum chambers 31 through the ports I5, 50, 46 and relieve the vacuum therein, and by a stationary cam 18 which engages the lever rollers 6| in amanner for displacing the sealing heads 63., 64 so as to free t e properly tested cone tops in time to permit them to discharge, by gravity, into the discharge runway 19,

While the machine herein disclosed is particu-. larly designed for the testing of cone tops such as are illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this specific use, and the invention applies as well to machine structures adaptable for the testing of cylindrical containers open at one or both ends. An example of this modification of the invention is illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings in which the invention is applied to equipment for testing containers having cylindrical bodies 80 which may be open or closed as-at 8| at one end, and open only at the center at the other end as at 82.

In this modification of the invention the tester units are identical in construction and operation with those previously described except that the angle bent bracket portions 83 are made longer so as to accommodate the greater length of the container unit being tested. The movable sealing wall 84 and its yieldable facing 85 must be made larger as illustrated in Figure '7, and the fixed wall of the tester unit is formed as illustrated to support an apertured center engaging sealing wall or plug 86. Since the operation of this modified form of the invention is identical to that previ ously described, repetition of this description is thought to be unnecessary.

It. is of course to be understood that the details of structure and arrangement of parts may be variously changed and modified without departing from the. spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

l. In a machine of the character described, a rotor; a plurality of tester units carried by said rotor, each including a peripherally open pocket for receiving a container unit open at both ends, a pair of unit clamping and open end sealing Walls engageable with the unit ends to secure said units against ingress of air, means acting through one wall of each pocket for drawing and holding a vacuum in said pocket, said walls being held against said unit ends by differential air pressure alone, whereby leakproof units will be held by said walls and said walls will be free to allow leaky container units to fall by gravity from the pockets, and means for admitting air at atmospheric pressure into leakproof container units in the pockets in which they are held and for releasing said units from said pockets after they have remained in said pockets throughout a. suitable test. interval, thereby to allow said leakproof container units to fall out of the pockets.

2. A hollow container testing unit comprising a pocket for receiving a container having an opening at at least one end, end closure members engageable with opposite ends of a container-tobe-tested for holding the container in place and for sealing it against ingress of atmospheric air, valve means through which a vacuum can be drawn in a held container, and spring means constantly tending during the testing of a can to force said closure members apart, said spring means being subservient to the drawn vacuum but effective upon leakage of air into a leaky container for forcing said closure members apart and releasing said container.

3,. A hollow container testing unit comprising a pocket, for receiving a container having an opening at at least one end, end closure members engageable with oppositeendsv of a container-tobe-vtested for holding, the container in place and val.

for'sealing it against ingress oi -atmospheric air,

valve means through which a vacuum can be drawn in a held container, and spring means subservient to the drawn vacuum but effective upon leakage of air into a leaky container for forcing said closure members apart and releasing said container, said valve means also having means for admitting air at atmospheric pressureintoa container which has held the vacuum throughout a proper test interval to thereby'render the spring effective toforce said'closure members apart.

4. A hollow container testing unit comprising a pocket for receiving a container having an opening at at least one end, end closure members engageable with opposite ends of a container-tobe-tested for holding the container in place and for sealing it against ingress of atmospheric air, valve means through which a vacuum can'b'e drawn in a held container, spring means constantly tending during the testing of a can to force said closure members apart, said spring means being subservient to the drawn vacuum but effective upon leakage of air into a leaky container for forcing said closure members-apart and releasing said container, and means for limit ing the distance to which the spring can force the closure members apart.

5. A hollow container testing unit comprising a pocket for receiving a container'havin'g an'open ing at at least one end, end closure members engageable with opposite ends of a container-tobe-tested'for holding the container in place and for sealing it against ingress of atmospheric-air, valve means through which a vacuum can be drawn-in aheld container, spring means subservient to the drawn vacuum but effective upon leakage of air-into a leaky container for forcing said closure members apart and releasing said container, said valve means also having means for admitting air at atmospheric pressure intoa container which has held the vacuum throughout a proper test interval to thereby render the spring efiective to force said closure members apart, and means for limiting the distanceto which the spring can force-the closure members apart.

6. A testing unit for testing cone topsopen at both ends, said unit comprising a cone top receiving pocket, clamping walls engageable with f'oppoe site ends of a cone topfor sealing it, against ingress of atmospheric air, valve means through which a vacuum can be drawn in a clamped cone top, spring means subservient to the drawn vacuum but effective upon leakage of air into a leaky cone top for forcing said clamping walls apart and releasing said containers, and means. for bringing about the release of cone tops which hold the vacuum throughout a proper testmter:

7. A hollow container testing unit comprising a body having a pocket therein for receiving a container which is open at at least. one end anda mounting hub including a chamber therein, a sealing ring on said body engageable by an end of a container-to-be-tested for sealing thesame against ingress of atmospheric a pivotally mounted clamping wall opposed tosaid body and engageable with the other end of the container for holding the container against the ring, spring means between the wall and the body and con stantly tendingto move the wall awayfrom the body, said chamber having means for communicating with a source of vacuum or with atmospheric air, said body having a port for communicating between the chamber and the interior of a container sealed against the ring, and valve means for-controlling said port. r

-8. A testing unit for open ended cone tops,said unit comprising a body havin a pocket therein for receiving a cone top and a sealing, ring engageable with the base of the cone topand a port opening within said ring, a unit mounting hub attached to said body and having a chamber stantly tending to move the head away from the body, said lever being extended beyond its pivot and being provided with means engageable in.-one direction for moving the head against a cone top mouth and in the other direction for positively moving the head away from a cone top mouth.

7 9. A testing unit for open ended conetops, said unit comprising a body having a pocket therein for receiving a cone top and a sealing ring engageable with the base of the cone top and a port opening within said ring, a unit mounting hub attached to said body and having a chamber therein and means for communicating with a source of vacuum or with atmospheric air, valve means controlling said port, a clamping and sealing head opposed to said body and engageable in holding and sealing contact with the pouring mouth of the cone top, a lever carrying said ,head and pivoted to said body, spring means interposed between the lever and the body andcon" stantly tending to move the head away from the body, said lever being extended beyond its pivot and being provided with means engageable in one direction for moving the head against a cone top mouth and in the other direction for positively moving the head away from a cone top mouth, and means for limiting movement of the head away from the body.

10. In a machine for testing conetops each having an open pouring mouth and an open base,

a traveling carrier, a plurality of cone top' receiving pockets on said carrier, means for delivering cone tops to the pockets, end closure walls engageable with the mouth and base respectively of each cone top in each pocket for sealing said cone top against ingress of atmospheric air, means for momentarily pressing said walls in contact with said unit ends, means for drawing and sealing a vacuum in said cone top during said momentary pressure application, spring means subservient to said vacuum but effective upon leakage of air into a leaky cone top for forcing said walls apart and releasing said cone top, and means for effect-ing separation of closure walls which have for a proper test interval held the vacuum in each leakproof cone top.

11. In a machine for testing cone tops each having an open pouring mouth and an o'pen'base, a traveling carrier, a plurality of cone top receiving pockets on said carrier, means for delivering cone tops to the pockets, end closure wallsengageable with the mouth and base respectively of each cone top in each pocket for sealing said cone top against ingress of atmospheric air, means for momentarily pressing said walls in contact with said unit ends, means for drawing and sealing a vacuum in said cone top during said momentary pressure application, spring means subservient to into a leaky cone top for forcing said Walls apart and releasing said cone top, and means for effecting separation of closure walls which have for a proper test interval held the vacuum in each leakproof cone top, said carrier comprising a continuously moving rotor having a tester unit mounting periphery, and said vacuum drawing means including a short length stationarily supported chambered shoe, spring pressed against said rotor periphery for successive cooperation through connecting porting with the individual cone top receiving pockets. v

12. In a machine for testing cone tops each having an open pouring mouth and anopen base, a traveling carrier, a pluralityof cone top receiving pockets on said carrier, means for delivering cone tops to the pockets, end closure walls engageable with the mouth and base respectively of each cone top in each pocket for sealing said cone top against ingress of atmospheric air, means for momentarily pressing said walls in contact with said unit ends, means for drawing and sealing a vacuum in said cone top during said momentary pressure application, spring means subservient to said vacuum but effective upon leakage of air into a leaky cone top for forcing said Walls apart and releasing said cone top, and means for releasing the vacuum in leak proof cone tops which have been sealed by said wall contact throughout a proper test interval. v

13. In a machine for testing cone tops each having an open pouring mouth and an open base, a traveling carrier, a plurality of cone top receiv ing pockets on said carrier, means for delivering cone tops to the pockets, end closure walls engageable with the mouth and base respectively of each cone top in each pocket for sealing said cone top against ingress of atmospheric air, means for momentarily pressing said walls in contact with said unit ends, means for drawing and sealing a vacuum in said cone top during said momentary pressure application, spring means subservient to said vacuumbut effective upon leakage of air into a leaky cone top for forcing said walls apart and releasingsaid cone top, and means for effecting separation of closure walls which have for a proper test interval held the vacuum in each leakproof cone top, said carrier comprising a continuously moving rotor having a tester unit mounting periphery, and said vacuum drawing means including a short length stationarily supported chambered shoe spring pressed against said rotor periphery for successive cooperation through connecting porting with the individual cone top re ceiving pockets and a spring pressed vacuum sealing valve associated with each said pocket, means for unseating and opening the vacuum sealing valve associated with each pocket containing a leakproof cone top after a suitable testing interval to release the vacuum and permit the spring means to separate the walls and release the tested cone tops.

14. In a cone top testing machine, a rotor, a plurality of tester units carried by said rotor, each having a vacuum chamber therein surrounded by a cone top base engaging and sealing Wall ring, a movable wall opposed to said ring and engageable in sealing contact with the cone top pouring mouth, and a support for the inner edge of a cone top, a spring pressed valve normally sealing each chamber against ingress of air, means for momentarily unseating each valve and drawing a vacuum in each chamber and a cone top engaged by the respective Wall ring and opsaid vacuum but efiective upon leakage of air posing wall, whereby differential air pressure will hold the wall ring and opposed wall in vacuum sealing contact with the cone top, only if it is leakproof and leakage of air at atmospheric pressure into leaky cone tops through leak openings therein will equalize the air pressure within and without the cone top and vacuum chamber and relieve the drawn vacuum and release the pressure contact of said opposing wall and wall ring to free the leaky cone top or tops, and means for unseating said valves to admit atmospheric air and free leakproof cone tops.

15. In a cone top testing machine, a rotor having a tester unit mounting periphery, a plurality of tester units carried by said rotor periphery, each having a vacuum chamber therein surrounded by a cone top base engaging and sealing wall ring, a movable wall opposed tosaid ring and engageable in sealing contact with the cone top pouring mouth, and a support for the inner edge of a cone top, a spring pressed valve normally sealing each chamber against ingress of air, means for momentarily unseating each valve and drawing a vacuum in each chamber and a cone top engaged by the respective wall ring and opposing wall, whereby differential air pressure will hold the wall ring and opposed wall in vacuum sealing contact with the cone top only if it is leakproof and leakage of air at atmospheric pressure into leaky cone tops through leak openings therein will equalize the air pressure Within and without the cone top and vacuum chamber and relieve the drawn vacuum and release the pressure contact of said opposing wall and wall ring to free the leaky cone top or tops, and means for unseating said valves to admit atmospheric air and free leakproof cone tops, said vacuum drawing means including a short length spring pressed chambered shoe engaging said rotor periphery for successive cooperation through connecting porting with said tester unit chambers.

16. In a cone top testing machine, a rotor, a plurality of tester units carried by said rotor, each having a vacuum chamber therein surrounded by a cone top base engaging and sealing wall ring, a movable wall opposed to said ring and engageable in sealing contact with the cone top pouring mouth, and a support for the inner edge of a cone top, a spring pressed valve normally sealing each chamber against ingress of air, means for momentarily unseating each valve and drawing a vacuum in each chamber and a cone top engaged by the respective wall ring and opposing wall, whereby differential air pressure will hold the wall ring and opposed wall in vacuum sealing contact with the cone top only if it is leakproof and leakage of air at atmospheric pressure into leaky cone tops through leak openings therein will equalize the air pressure within and without the cone top and vacuum chamher and relieve the drawn vacuum and release the pressure contact of said opposing wall and wall ring to free the leaky cone top or tops, short length stationary cam means for holding each opposing wall against the respective cone top for only a short interval while the vacuum is being drawn and secured therein, said opposing Wall contact with the cone'top being maintained at other times solely by atmospheric pressure, means for unseating each valve to atmospheric air after a testing interval, and spring means for separating each said opposing wall and the cooperating wall ring as the respective valve is unseated.

17. In a cone top testing machine, a rotor, a plurality of tester units carried by said rotor, each having a vacuum chamber therein surrounded by a cone top base engaging and sealing wall ring, a movable wall opposed to said ring and engageable in sealing contact with the cone top pouring mouth, and a support for the inner edge of a cone top, a spring pressed valve normally sealing each chamber against ingress of air, means for momentarily unseating each valve and drawing a vacuum in each chamber and a cone top engaged 'by the respective wall ring and opposing wall, whereby differential air pressure will hold the wall ring and opposed wall in vacuum sealing contact with the cone top only if it is leakproof and leakage of air at atmospheric pressure into leaky cone tops through leak openings therein will equalize air pressure within and without the cone top and vacuum chamber and relieve the drawn vacuum and release the pressure contact of said opposing wall and wall ring to free the leaky cone top or tops, stationary cam means for holding each opposing wall against the respective cone top while the vacuum is being drawn and secured therein, means for unseating each valve to admit atmospheric air after a testing interval, spring means for separating each said opposing wall and the cooperating wall ring as the respective valve is unseated, said rotor having individual vacuum ports communicating with the respective chambers under control of said spring pressed valve and extending through the periphery thereof, and said vacuum drawing means including a short length spring pressed vacuum chambered shoe engaging the periphery of the rotor for successive cooperation with said tester unit chambers through said ports.

HERBERT SCHRADER. 

